Leptinella

An intriguing genus from the Southern Hemisphere, S. America to Autralasia and as far as the Subantarctic Islands. Mat-forming perennials, evergreen to semi-evergreen, with often ferny looking, divided foliage. Button-like flowers, reminiscent of Santolina, in summer. With its ground hugging nature and almost moss-like foliage, these can be excellent plants for a Japanese style garden. Synonym Cotula.

The button-like flowerheads of Leptinella are composed of numerous disc-flowers (like the middle of a daisy), each producing nectar and pollen and so attracting pollinators, such as bees and flies. In addition the dense ground-covering growth is useful shelter for invertebrates especially on drier soils, although of concern when it escapes from gardens, as it is increasingly found especially with L. squalida. Steps should be taken to try and prevent its spread from gardens, especially onto valuable open habitats such as sand dunes.